Mike Martz’s pass-happy offensive revival has been hindered by a horrendous offensive line.  Jay Cutler and backup Todd Collins have been knocked out of games because of a lack of cohesion on the o-line, in addition to Martz’s tendency to hang his quarterbacks out to dry.

No protection for Jay Cutler (NFL.com)

Led by Matt Forte, the Bears have youth at the skill positions, but still lack a true #1 receiving threat. And although they have passed the ball effectively when Cutler is healthy, it will be be interesting to see if the inability to run the football will catch up to the Bears once the chilly arctic winds blow through Soldier Field.

Two things can account for the Bears success on defense: the return of emotional leader Brian Urlacher, who seems to have brought the defensive pride back to this once strong unit, and the dynamite signing of Julius Peppers, which has provided the all-important pass rush that makes the Tampa Two defense work.

Biggest Needs:  OT, #1 WR

2. Green Bay Packers

The Packers have assembled one of the NFL’s finest and most dangerous receiving corps to go with an elite quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. But this offense will not likely reach its potential with a terribly old set of offensive tackles in Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher. Both players served faithfully for many years, but the time has come for Green Bay to replace them.  My question is why isn’t T.J. Lang starting at OT, especially since he did such a good job in that role last season? Until the Pack can properly protect Aaron Rodgers against the ferocious pass rushers found in the NFC North the offense cannot create any consistency.

Establishing a running game wouldn’t hurt either….

With a full year under their belts, this Dom Capers coached unit is dialing up the pressure on opposing offenses with developing superstar OLB Clay Matthews, while reigning defensive MVP Charles Woodson prowls the defensive backfield.

Biggest Needs:  OT, RB

3. Minnesota Vikings

After a crazy Brett Favre-ful offseason, the Minnesota Vikings have looked mediocre at best through six games. Injuries in the defensive secondary killed the Vikings hope for a strong start to the season. On the contrary, the defensive front four have been dominant as usual, and a healthy E.J. Henderson has been most welcome after missing him for most of the last two seasons. Nevertheless, this defense will not be a truly fearsome force again until that secondary gets healthy. Their zone defense has been shredded by nearly every offensive opponent thus far.

Brett Favre has looked especially brittle and immobile in the pocket, and the offensive weapons on the edge have not produced like expected.

So far, I am waiting for Randy Moss (who I have in my fantasy league) to develop the same kind of chemistry with Favre that Sidney Rice cultivated last year. While Viking nation holds its collective breath until that happens, superstar RB Adrian Peterson will have carry this team on his back with more 100 yard games.

Biggest Needs: QB, DB

4. Detroit Lions

There certainly is a new vibe in MoTown this season.  The 1-4 Lions have been competitive in all their games, having lost those four games  by a an average of 8 points.  It is readily apparent that they truly believe they can win on any Sunday.   And this new outlook is embodied by the team’s talented defensive front four.  Ndamukong Suh has been as good as advertised.  Newcomer Corey Williams has been one of the best free agent signings of the year. Cliff Avril has been decent, and Kyle Vanden Bosch’s unmatched intensity and leadership have placed Detroit in 8th in the league in sacks (16 total).

However, such dynamic performances by the Detroit line has been dampened by the uneven play of the secondary.  Some free agent signings have upgraded the depth in this area. But the Lions lack a true shutdown corner to give defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham more freedom to get creative in his play-calling.   If (big if…) Detroit can cut down on big plays at inopportune times, we could see this unit develop into something special in the near future.

Offensively, Detroit made some moves in the offseason to acquire some real firepower. Jahvid Best has been explosive, Tony Scheffler and Brandon Pettigrew are quickly becoming the best duo of receiving tight ends in the league, and Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson are causing mismatch problems on the outside.  QB Shaun Hill has been invaluable since Matthew Stafford went down against the Bears in week 1.  Once Stafford returns, the Lions will have something they haven’t had in many, many years…balance.

Biggest Needs: CB, WLB

(View Thompson Draft Blueprints here)

Green Bay Packers’ GM Ted Thompson has long been a stout champion of drafting best player available (BPA), regardless of need. To some people, this philosophy makes little sense. But considering how the draft is a crapshoot, you’re much less likely to get caught with your pants down that way.

Case in point being Thompson’s draft behavior in 2008. He drafted wide receiver Jordy Nelson in the 2nd round, even though Green Bay had one of the most potent receiving tandems in the league. Furthermore, Thompson selected two more quarterbacks when Aaron Rodgers  (and technically, Brett Favre too) was on the roster.

Some of the more notable picks made since Thompson’s arrival are A.J. Hawk (OLB), Aaron Rodgers (QB), Greg Jennings (WR), and Nick Collins (FS). Interestingly, some of the team’s most successful players have been a result of Thompson’s excellent eye for talent in the later rounds of the draft.

But before I make this man out as being infallible, I must say, for every success, there’s been a bust. And I know that any Packers fan will be quick to remind me how much a failure former 1st round DT Justin Harrell has been. Under the Ted Thompson regime, Harrell has been perhaps the largest whiff by the front-office.

Characteristic of any value-driven GM, Thompson has become famous for being active on draft day, trading down to gain additional picks.

Despite his good track record, Thompson’s habits come across as arrogant and sometimes stupid. I have talked with several Packers fans who are less than happy with the way the Packers draft. But somehow, big Ted puts together a quality team that was a hop, skip, and a jump from the Super bowl 2 years ago.

And finally, the reason he makes this list is for his emphasis on building the team through the draft, which inevitably means that the vast majority of the squad came through this method.

-1=dislike/+0=indifferent/ +1=like

Detroit Lions

All the picks followed a trend: infusing talent if it addressed any need. The Lions got the best player available at 3 positions of need with their first picks.

-1 Matthew Stafford QB- Not particularly keen on this choice for too many reasons to mention. Lions paid way too much for a single player, I just hope he works out.

+0 Brandon Pettigrew TE- Massive target that should be equally adept at blocking and being a large receiving target for Stafford. Would have liked to have seen a defensive player chosen here.

+1 Louis Delmas FS- Excellent player. All great defenses have an elite safety at their heart. Delmas has been compared to Bob Sanders. He shows the same reckless intensity and ability to fly around the field that has become the trademark of Sanders. Let’s see if that comparison stands the test of time.

quick thoughts on 2nd day picks:

I really expected the Lions to hit the trenches harder than they did. Only 2 linemen chosen overall was very disappointing.

-1 Deandre Levy OLB- speedy LB that can deliver a blow in the box. Jim Schwartz plans to try him at MLB. If that experiment succeeds, then Levy will be worth it.

+0 Derrick Williams WR- Much needed special teams player, who should be able to contribute immediately. Hopefully Williams will push Ronald Curry for time at slot receiver. I wanted Lawrence Sidbury or some other lineman instead of an offensive skill position.

+1 Sammie Lee Hill DT- Intriguing small school athlete, very raw, but if developed properly, should be the long-term replacement for Grady Jackson.

-1 Aaron Brown HB- Another special teams player? Again, the Lions needed to hit the trenches hard, but opted for another skill position.

+0 Lydon Murtha OT-  Has good size, but will struggle to make the roster. Lions had the right idea here, but too little too late.

+1 Zack Follett OLB- Love his intensity and aggression on the field. Great late round pick who will at least make a good special teamer.

+0 Dan Gronkowski TE- Excellent blocking prospect, but may struggle as a receiver.

Score: 0

Minnesota Vikings

Vikings did a wonderful job of grabbing players that fit a need in their system.

+1 Percy Harvin WR- Precisely the type of player needed to distract opponents from Adrian Peterson and the Vikings running game. Harvin is already one of the most explosive players to come into the league in a while. Incredible talent for a pick at #22.

+1 Phil Loadholt OT- Massive tackle to push out Ryan Cook on the right side. Fits the Viking offensive scheme well. If he continues to struggle against quicker defensive ends at tackle, guard is a possibility for him.

+1 Asher Allen CB- Aggressive defensive back that fits the mold of other Minnesota DB’s like Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin.

+1 Jasper Brinkley ILB- Yet another fine defensive fit, South Carolina thumper adds insurance for MLB E.J. Henderson.

-1 Jamarca Sanford FS- Might end up a career special teamer because of  his good tackling ability, but lacks coverage skills.

Score: 3

Green Bay Packers

Ted Thompson is a whiz at getting bang for his buck. Masterful job at addressing needs in the second day. Jamon Meredith probably was one of the biggest steals of the draft.

+1 B.J. Raji NT- Bulky nosetackle that may have filled the team’s most pressing need. Kind of player that alters game plans. NFC North teams will hate playing him multiple times a year. Possesses great blend of pass rushing and run stuffing ability. One of my favorite picks of the draft.

+0 Clay Matthews Jr. OLB- Love the player, not keen on the price tage though. Matthews was valued around this spot, but Thompson had to trade a great deal to get him. Very athletic player, has incredible upside, will definitely bring versatility to Dom Capers’ 3-4 defense.

+1 T.J. Lang OT- Versatile offensive tackle from Eatern Michigan. Might become a swing tackle type like Dan Loper and Max Unger. In a year or two, he might become the starter at one of the tackle spots for Green Bay.

+1 Quinn Johnson FB- Gotta love those old-school blockers. He will knock guys on their backs.

+1 Jamon Meredith OT-One of the best values of the draft. Regarded as a preseason first-second round pick. Very smart and strong lineman. Love this selection by the Packers.

-1 Jarius Wynn DE- Not going to give Green Bay much help in their pass rush, which was sorely needed. Going to have to bulk up some more to play end in the 3-4 defense.

-1 Brandon Underwood CB-Cincinnati defensive back provides too little aid for an extremely old group of cornerbacks.

+1 Brad Jones LB- Highly athletic linebacker from Colorado. Worth the risk in the 7th round.

Score: 3

Chicago Bears

Jerry Angelo traded back out of the first draft day to build depth. The trend for the Bears this year was to draft project players that might or might not contribute down the road.

+1 Jarron Gilbert DL- Extraordinarily athletic big man from San Jose St. University. Was expected to go in the early 2nd round. He should offer a nice speed element to the interior line rotation behind Marcus Harrison and Tommie Harris. I really like this pick.

+1 Juaquin Iglesias WR- Sound football player, very good hands and is said to be fearless when running over the middle of the field. Great pick for a talent-starved receiving corps.

+0 Henry Melton DE- Very raw athlete (played HB for two years), but has very good speed and strength. Defensive line guru Rod Marinelli will get the best from Henry. Might have been a little early for such a project player.

+1 D.J. Moore CB- Another high value player.Could have easily gone in the second round (but fell to the 4th). Played a little bit of receiver in addition to starting at CB for Vanderbilt. Doesn’t have incredible straight line speed, but is quick and has good vertical leap to make up for it. Probably will be Bears’ nickelback.

-1 Johnny Knox WR- Quick twitch receiver. Not much of a route runner. Drafted for his speed. The Bears needed receivers, but sheer athetes aren’t going to cut the mustard. I don’t expect him to make much of an impact for a while, if at all.

+1 Marcus Freeman OLB- Fast in a straight line, hard-hitting linebacker from Ohio St.  Good value pick in the 5th round.

+0 Al Afalava FS-  Adds depth at a position of need.

+0 Lance Louis OG- Interesting athleticism for a guard. Another project type.

+0 Derek Kinder WR- Decent pick up in the 7th round. Doesn’t excel in any one area, but is an average player in all aspects of the game.

Score: 3

9. Green Bay Packers

(updated 3/4)

-Knowshon Moreno (HB/Georgia)

NFL.com

Packers’ running back Ryan Grant did a decent job last season (ran for 1,200 yards). But he is not the elusive home run hitting running back that opposing defenses fear. As Morris, an avid Packers fan mentioned (in the comments section below), GM Ted Thompson’s draft philosophy is to grab the best player available instead of selecting for need. In order to relieve the pressure from Aaron Rodgers in the passing game, Green Bay may decide to build a powerful tandem in the running game.

At the #9 selection of the draft, the obvious choices of Aaron Curry, B.J. Raji, and the top 2 offensive tackles will most likely be off the board. But the best running back and one of the better players in this draft IS still available: Knowshon Moreno.  This guy has all the essential ingredients to be a top runner in the NFL: superb vision, fluid hips, excellent agility, great burst, good hands, durability, and most importantly, unrivaled intensity. I have always believed he a better back than Chris Wells of Ohio State.  Selecting Moreno here makes sense to me if Thompson goes for the best available player.

-Trade Down*

Since any prime targets should be gone by now, Green Bay could look to trade down to avoid reaching. This way they also receive greater value for their money. I would suspect that maybe the Jets or some other team selecting in the mid-late first round would be a likely scenario.  And remember, Ted Thompson prides himself for having an eye for value.

-Michael Oher (LT/Ole Miss)

NFL.com

At first glance, 34 sacks (rank 15th among NFL teams) isn’t too striking. But I can recall numerous times when Aaron Rodgers was running for his life or getting smashed by speed rushers coming from the blind side.  The team’s left tackle, Chad Clifton has had an exceptional career. But he has clearly lost a step this season (allowing 7.5 sacks).

Until today, most people, including myself had the Packers as a lock for some defensive player to help the transition to their new 3-4 defense. And this does make sense based on Ted Thompson’s draft history. He has only chosen one offensive lineman in the first two rounds since he arrived in Green Bay. But upon closer analysis, he never had to use a high pick on a tackle when Mark Tauscher (seriously, is it just me or does he look like Jack Black?) and Chad Clifton have done such a good job. These two have both reached the ends of their careers, and may force Ted Thompson to replace at least one of them right away.

With Tauscher coming off ACL surgery, the Pack may try Oher on the right side while he learns the offense.

NFL.com

-Vontae Davis (CB/Illinois)

Considering how the Packers defensive line needs work, I know this pick is somewhat of a luxury. But hear me out on this one. Ted Thompson generally likes to take the best player available, and one of the best available happens to fulfill an area of need as well. As Al Harris is basically finished in the NFL, Davis would add youth to an already aging set of corners.  Even with Atari  Bigby going down mid-season, the Packer pass defense was still one of the best in the league. So I can understand if that is reason to pass on this spot. I just think that Davis would make him and Charles Woodson into one of the best tandems in the NFL.

Davis had an excellent combine, allowing him to finish in the top 10 defensive back performers in the 40-yard dash, 20 yard shuttle, bench press, and 3-cone drill. Few players possess his size and athleticism. The only detractor is that he was benched late season because of some character issues.

Keep voting so we can compare the fan picks with my own! At the end of my completed mock draft I will show all the results. Great job so far.

Next on the clock: San Francisco 49ers

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